Older and historic homes in Georgia provide a sought-after aesthetic appeal, but they are also more susceptible to sewer line issues. Having an experienced and licensed plumber like Chen Plumbing, who knows how to resolve older home sewer problems, will provide these homeowners confidence in their plumbing system. In this blog, we will dive into the common sewer problems, from natural corrosion to tree root intrusion, some warning signs that you need repairs with quick response time and long-lasting results, and repair vs. replacement.
Why Older Georgia Homes Are More Susceptible to Sewer Problems
Older homes in Georgia, like in Atlanta’s Inman Park and Old Fourth Ward, have historic Victorian-era homes or other units built before the 1970s that usually still have their original plumbing systems.
Aging sewer pipes, made of cast iron or galvanized steel, will naturally corrode after 40 to 50 years and cause clogs, backups, and sometimes even collapses. Our region’s red clay soil also tends to swell during rain and shrink during drier periods. This constant environmental effect can move older underground pipes out of alignment.
Chen Plumbing is well-trained in assessing the condition of older pipes in Atlanta.
Why Sewer Lines Deteriorate Over Time
Older sewer lines were usually built from clay, cast iron, and galvanized steel. All of these materials have fixed timelines of around 50 years before they begin to naturally corrode and deteriorate. This internal corrosion, perpetuated by sewer waste and sewer gases, will rust the pipe from the inside out and narrow the diameter of the pipe.
For one period in Georgia, from the 1940s to 1970s, there was another type of old plumbing pipe called Orangeburg. Due to the shortage of metals, this piping material was made from wood pulp and coal tar, and has an even shorter lifespan than clay, iron, and galvanized steel.
If you are unsure of the condition or material of your sewer line, give Chen Plumbing a ring.
Tree Root Intrusion Is One of Georgia’s Most Common Sewer Problems
Older homes usually have beautiful old-growth trees in the backyard, and while pleasing to look at, these tree roots love to invade underground piping systems.
Tree roots are always attracted to running water sources, and any small holes or fractures in an aging piping system are the perfect entry point for them. Tree roots will quickly take over a piping system, creating blockages, causing backups, and creating structural concerns in your piping system.
Hydro jetting is the most effective way to remove tree roots in a sewer line. Chen Plumbing will assess the condition of your piping system and then blast high-pressure water to cut through the tree roots and effectively clean the walls of your piping system.
Cast Iron and Clay Sewer Pipes Eventually Wear Out
Cast iron and clay piping materials were the norm for Georgia in the 20th century, and while they were fine back then, these materials eventually wear down through natural corrosion, soil shifting, and years and years of debris and buildup.
If you are worried about the age of your piping system, Chen Plumbing will assess its condition and give you our expert opinion on whether it needs repairs or a full replacement.
Warning Signs Your Sewer Line Needs Attention
There are some common warning signs that your system needs sewer line repair in Atlanta.
- Foul sewage odors: If you smell sewer gas coming from any of the drains, this needs prompt attention.
- Sewage backups: Sewage backups are emergencies that require quick response times, which Chen Plumbing is happy to provide.
- Multiple slow drains: One slow drain can be due to an issue in a specific pipe, but multiple ones indicate an issue deeper in your sewer line.
- Gurgling toilets: The gurgling sound is caused by air getting trapped somewhere in your sewer line, usually by a clog.
- Recurring clogs: If you have noticed that a clog is coming back a few weeks after it is resolved, this points to a deeper issue in the sewer line.
If you are experiencing any of these common sewer problems, give Chen Plumbing a call.
How Sewer Camera Inspections Identify Hidden Problems
For tougher clogs and more complicated plumbing issues caused by heavy grease and other severe debris buildup, like tree roots, we use high-powered augers or hydro jetting techniques. Before we do that, we feed a high-definition camera to inspect the source of the issue and the condition of your piping system.
Camera inspections are an important way to find any minor or hidden damage within your piping system. This gives our plumbers a sure-fire way to know exactly what is wrong with your piping system and decide on the right course of action. Call our Atlanta team for a camera inspection.
Repair vs. Replacement: Making the Right Decision
We are always asked by our customers whether they need sewer repair in Georgia or need to replace their sewer piping system.
For single and localized issues, like spot leaks or minor cracking, repairing is usually fine when the rest of the pipe is in good condition. If you are dealing with widespread corrosion in older piping materials (clay, galvanized steel, and cast iron) and need frequent repairs, it may be time to schedule a sewer line replacement with us.
Chen Plumbing makes piping material upgrades and replacement jobs easier on your wallet with financing options, secured through GreenSky Financing.
How to Extend the Life of Your Sewer System
Luckily, there are some ways Georgia homeowners can extend the lifespan of their piping systems.
- Avoid store bought drain cleaners, which will slowly eat away at your piping system.
- Use drain and hair catchers for sinks with high usage.
- Have septic tanks pumped every few years.
- Sign up for our home plumbing protection plan to guarantee routine sewer line maintenance.
The Environmental Protection Agency also has a list of handy tips to extend the lifespan of your sewer system.
Professional Sewer Services Throughout Metro Atlanta
Chen Plumbing is proud to offer sewer line drain services for Atlanta and surrounding areas like:
- Marietta
- Roswell
- Lawrenceville
- Buford
- North Druid Hills
- And more!
Schedule a Sewer Inspection with Chen Plumbing Today
If you are experiencing some sewer line issues or just want to know the condition of your older piping materials, the best practice is to use a licensed and experienced plumber. Chen Plumbing has close to 30 years of plumbing expertise and is ready for anything your piping system throws at them. Contact us today at (404) 809-3213 to schedule a sewer line inspection.
